Waterproof box



Jan. 5, 1937. T. L. CUNNINGHAM WATERPROOF BOX Filed April 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H H a h M m M 5 7 a WWW m 4 ATTORNEn'S 1937- T. CUINNINGHAM 2,056,337

WATERPROOF BOX Patented Jan. 5, 1937 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to boxes and crates, and more particularly to waterproof boxes for shipping purposes.

I am aware of some of the numerous attempts, which have been previously made, to produce boxes that would be absolutely waterproof and prevent rust or other deleterious effects upon the materials contained in the box during storage and shipment. All such attempts, however,

10 have fallen short of their intended purposes, for

although the major portion of the Water is prevented from entering the box there is nevertheless a sufficient penetration of moisture to cause rusting of metal parts and spoilage of fab- 15 rics or food contained in the box.

In some of the prior art boxes expensive metal linings, for example, zinc or tin, are employed for preventing moisture penetration. The inherent cost involved in the manufacture of such boxes renders them prohibitive to the majority of the trade, as evidenced by their scarcity upon the market. Furthermore, such boxes are seldom water-tight around their top and bottom edges, for it is practically impossible to fold the metal lining so that water will not seep in through the cracks in the folded portions. Therefore, in addition to the undesirable high cost of these boxes, they are not entirely moisture proof and do not fill the present day needs. 30 Another type of prior art box intended to be waterproof comprises a combination of wood and paper. Although this box is not subject to the undesirable high cost feature it does not completely keep out the water and as a result it 35 cannot be relied upon to protect its contents against the harmful results of moisture, for example, rust, mildew and decay. One of the principal reasons for failure in this type of box is that there are no adequate provisions for filling 40 or sealing cracks along the top, bottom and side edges of the box.

, An object of my invention is to provide a box that is entirely water-resistant and will maintain the contents packed therein free from rust,

45 mildew, decay or other harmful effects normally caused by water.

The novel features of my box are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The structure and specific waterproof features of my 50 box, however, will be clearly understood from the following more specific description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters identify similar parts. In these drawings:

55 I Figure 1 is a perspective view of my box with several parts,broken away to show the internal construction and the means for rendering the top, bottom and side edges water-tight;

Figure 2 is a detail of one type of filler that I use in combination with the waterproof inner lining of my box to form a water-tight gasket between the joined members of the box;

Figure 3 is a perspective view, from the underneath side, of the top or bottom member of my box showing the inner frame, the uter board, and the interposed sheet of waterproof material;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4% of Figure 1; I

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the completed box;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View similar to Figure 4 but showing a different type of waterproof gasket, which I may use for forming a water-tight junction between the joined members of my box.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical, cross-section showing still another type of waterproof gasket.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the box I0, shown in one of its preferred forms, is made of six initially separate panels. In the completed box these panels form the two sides II, the two ends I2, and the top and bottom members I3, the corresponding members being substantially identical.

The structure of the end pieces I2 is clearly shown at the left hand end of Figure 1. This end piece, likethe corresponding front end piece, consists of an inner frame I4, an interposed fiexi- 40 ble waterproof sheet I5, and an outside board member E6. The members I4 and I6 are fastened together by means of screws, nails, or the like, such as shown in Figures 4 to 9. The interposed waterproof sheet I 5 is not directly fastened to either the inside frame or the outside board but is clamped between the two through the intermediary of the nails. The sheet I5 covers the entire inner surface of the board I6 and has extensions I5a' which cover the four sides or edges of the board I6.

The two sides of my box, as clearly shown in Figure 1, consist essentially of an inner frame II fastened to an outside board member I9, and an intermediate or interposed sheet of waterproofed 7 bottom, sidesfand ends alson material I8. This sheet 18 is preferably made from the same stock as the waterproof sheet I5 used for interlining the end portions described above. The sheet I8 covers the entire inner surface of the board I9 but does not extend over the edges of the latter for reasons that will be apparent from the description to follow.

The structure of the panels, which form the top and bottom members of my box, may be easily understood from Figure 3. The top and bottom members are preferably identical in structure and, as shown, consist of an inner frame member 20 fastened to an outer board member 22, and an interposed sheet of waterproofed material 2I-. This sheet 2I is preferably made fromthe same stock as the sheets I5 and I8,supra', and has slightly offset ends 2Ib which, in the completed box, coincide with the extensions I5a of the end members I2, and has side extensions 2Iq. which coincide with the offsetedges I8a of "the side sheet I8, in the manner described hereinafter, to form the water-tight gasket. The side and end panels are so constructed that when the inner frames l4 and. II are placed in the abutting relationship shown in Figure 1, the outside board members I6 and I9 are properly positioned for nailing. -Also, the top cross piece of the inner frame I1 is positioned at the proper height to support the frame 29 of the top panel I3, such that the outside board member 22 will lie fiush with the top surface of the side members I9. This also causes the gasket 23 to lie flush with the top surface of the box and thereby prevent any possible damage that might occur if it projected beyond the box surface. The latter,'of course, applies. not only to the top of the box but to the The main purpose of the waterproof linings I5,

' I8 and 2|, supra, is to prevent any moisture that might penetrate the outside board members I6, I9 and 22 respectively from actually and finally entering the innermost portions of the box and spoiling the contents therein. These waterproof] intermediate linings may be made of any suitable flexible materialthat has been 'renderedsufiiical, properties may be used. If desired, this terial;

satisfactory results'canibe obtained if paper, such as cardboard,is thoroughly impregnated with the thin liquid Waterproofing composition disclosed in ace-pending application, Serial No."747,887, filed October 11, 1934. proofing compositions may, of course, be used for impregnating the paper or other'lining ma- Although the waterproof sheets I5, I8 and 2I will prevent the major portion of the water, that normally penetrates the box, from reaching the contents thereirnthese sheets alone would not be sufficient to make the box absolutely watertight: along the edges between the joined members. Therefore to insure against any and all penetration of moisture along such edges and to render the box entirely water-resistant, I have extensions 2 la.

Other suitable waterprovided a water-tight gasket arrangement. One form of this gasket is illustrated in Figure 2 and, as shown, consists of a substantially U-shaped member 23 having a longitudinal opening 24. This member 23 is preferably made from the same stock of waterproof material from which the inner linings I5, I8 and 2I are formed.

The U-shaped gasket 23 is placed along each joined edge of the box, that is, between the side panels I I and the top and bottom panels I3, and also along each end of the box between the end panels I2 and the top and bottom panels I3. In this manner the box I0 is completely sealed along its entire joined surfaces. While it is preferable to apply the gasket between each of the joined members, it is of course understood that any lesser number of these gaskets may be used, and

I have found in actual practice that the gasket between the top member I3 and the end members I2 may sometimes be omitted. The particular reason for this is that the-top 'panel' I3 is normally the last one applied, and may; therefore, be very firmly affixed to the other members so that little, opportunity of moisture penetration between its joined edges is afforded. However, to insure absolute waterproof conditions, gaskets should be used along each joined edge, as shown. To further insure awatertight joint between the side panels II and the end panels I2-,-the end and side gaskets 23 overlap or look at their junction, asindicated by. the dotted section 230; in Figure 1.

Short sections of the gasket 23 are shown in perspective in Figure l, but the complete gasket and its associationwith the waterproofinterlinings I5, I8 and 2I will beclearly understood from a consideration of Figures 4, 5 and 6. Referring nowto these figures, and particularly to Figure 4, it is to be noted that the waterproofing lining I8 extendsthe full length of the side members I9 and its side extensions I'8a are par: allel therewith and are practically straight, except fora slight. offset. The interlinings H, extending the fulllength of the'top and bottom members 22, however, are bent along their side edges at substantially right angles to form the These extensions lie parallel to' and in close contact with the extensions I8al,

permitting the waterproof gasket 23 to be slipped over and completely cover each of, these exten- F sions.

As shown, this gasket 23 is closed at the outer surface of the box and presents a waterproof barrier to any moisture that might normally tend to penetrate between the extensions I8w to reach the interior of the box, because it will be retained between the members I9 and the outer surface of the waterproof interlining I8. The waterproof characteristics of the sheet I8 will prevent any such moisture from penetrat ing into the interior of the box.

.In Figure 5 is illustrated the water-tight joint formed between the top and bottom members 22 and the end members I6. The waterproof sheet 2I terminates, atits ends, in the straight parallel extensions 2|?) and the waterproof sheet l5 terminates in the extensions |5a bent at substantially right angles so that they lie in close contact with the extensions 2|b The same type of waterproof gasket 23, as that shown in Figure 4, fits over these two extensions and thereby provides a water-tight joint between the top and bottom members and the end members of the box.

In Figure 6 there is illustrated the water-tight joint formed between the side members l9 and the end member H3. As shown, the waterproof sheet |8 has straight extensions |8a and the waterproof sheet I5 has extensions I50, bent at substantially right angles; the gasket 23 fitting over both of these extensions and forming a waterproof joint between the joined members in the manner described above.

In Figure '7 there is illustrated in perspective the completed box ready for shipment. The nails 25 joining the end, side, top, and bottom members have been staggered to provide strength. The waterproof gaskets 23, it will be noted, extend the full length of the joined members. While it is not essential, I prefer to treat the entire outer surface of the box ID with the same waterproofing composition that is used for impregnating the waterproof sheets l5, l8 and 2| and the waterproof gaskets 23 described above.

Although I have shown only one waterproof gasket along each joined edge of the box, it is to be understood that any greater number may be used. For example, if the initially separate panels l2 and I3 have not been accurately cut, and as a result do not form a close fit at the joined edges, this can be easily overcome and the box rendered entirely waterproof by inserting several of the gaskets 23.

In Figure 8, I have shown a different type of waterproof gasket from that described above. The gasket in Figure 8 is formed not by means of a separate member, such as 23, supra, but by a folded extension of the waterproof interlining 2|. This, of course, also applies to the interlining |5 shown in the preceding figures. The interlining |8 in Figure 8, has, as usual, straight extensions |8a and the interlining 2|, as stated, has folded substantially U-shaped extensions 26. The extensions 26, in combination with extensions |8a provide enicient water-tight gaskets between the joined members I!) and 22. While I have shown only one fold for the extensions 26, it is to be understood that the gasket may be formed by folding the edge of the sheet 2| back upon itself several times to form a W-shaped member or any desired multiplications thereof. The latter would be desirable in the example mentioned above where the wooden members have not been accurately cut.

Any water that might seep in between the outer surfaces of the extension 26 and the adjacent surface of the members l9 and 22 would be prevented from entering the interior of the box, since the waterproof sheets l8 and 2| wou d retain such moisture between their outer surface and the inner surface of the members l9 and 22.

In Figure 9, I have illustrated still another type of waterproof gasket, which I believe will be useful in case the ends of the waterproof sheets, such as 2|, have been accidentally damaged, that is, broken or torn. In such a case the U-shaped gasket 2! with its extension 28 could be inserted. The extension 28, as shown, would reinforce the torn portion 29 of the damaged lining 2| and thus effect a water-tight joint. It is also to be appreciated that this type of gasket 21 may be used entirely in place of the gasket 23, whenever desired.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific illustrations or description given hereinbefore by way of example, but is susceptible to various modifications and changes, all of which come within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim as new is:

1. A waterproof box consisting of an inner marginal frame, a plurality of outside wooden members joined to said frame, a sheet of waterproof paper board interposed between said marginal frame and each of said outside members, some of said waterproof sheets having substantially straight edges and others having folded edges adapted to cover the straight edges of said other sheets and thereby form a water-tight gasket between each joined pair of said outside members.

2. A waterproof box consisting of an inner marginal frame, a plurality of boards forming the outside of said box and attached to said frame, a sheet of waterproof fiber board interposed between said marginal frame and each of said outside boards, some of said waterproof sheets having substantially straight parallel edges and others of said sheets having their edges folded toform a. substantially U-shaped member adapted to cover said straight edges, thereby forming a water-tight joint.

3. A waterproof box comprising a plurality of panels joined together to form the top, bottom, and sides of the box, each of said panels having an outside member, an inner marginal frame, and a sheet of waterproof material interposed between said frame and said outside member, and the several waterproof sheets being overlapped along their contiguous edges to form a water-tight seal thereover such that any water tending to enter the box along these edges will be directed to and retained between said outside members and the outer surface of said waterproof sheets, whereby such water is prevented from reaching the interior of the box.

4. A waterproof box comprising a plurality of panels joined together to form the top, bottom, and sides of the box, each of said panels having an outside member, an inner marginal frame, and a sheet of waterproof fibrous material interposed between said frame and said outside member, and the several waterproof fibrous sheets being overlapped along their contiguous edges to form a water-tight seal thereover such that any water tending to enter the box along these edges will be directed to and retain between said outside members and the outer surface of said waterproof fibrous sheets, whereby such water is prevented from reaching the interior of the box.

5. A waterproof box comprising a plurality of panels joined together to form the top, bottom, and sides of the box, each of said panels having an outside member, an inner marginal frame, and a sheet of waterproof paper board interposed between said frame and said outside member, and

the several waterproof paper board sheets being overlapped along their contiguous edges to form a water-tight seal thereover such that any water tending to enter the box along these edges will be directed to and retained between said outside members and the outer surface of said waterproof paper board sheets, whereby such water is 7 prevented from reaching the interior of the box.

6; A waterproof box comprising a plurality of panels joined together to form the top, bottom, and sides of the box, each of said'panels having an outside member, an inner margina1 frame, and a sheet of waterproof material interposed between said frame and said outside member, and r '7. A waterproof box comprising a plurality of panels joined together to form the top, bottom; and sides of the box, each of said panels having an outs-idemembenan inner marginal frame,'and" a sheet of waterproof paper board interposed'between said'frame and said outside member, and a strip of said waterproof paper board folded over the contiguous edges of the adjacent waterproof paper board sheets to form a water-tight seal over these edges such that any water tending to enter the-box along these edges will be directed to and retained between said outside mem bers and the outer surface of said waterproof paperboard sheets, whereby such water is prevented from reaching the interior of the box.

8. A waterproof container comprising top, bottom and sides connected together to form a closed container, sheets of waterproof material covering the inner surface of said top, bottom and sides,

said sheets having contiguous portions extending between and held together by the joined edges of said top, bottom and sides, such thatthey form normally free edges with potential openings therebetween'at the outside edge of said joined J members; and folded waterproof sheet material positioned over and around said potential openings and located between the joined edges of said susceptible to moisture penetration are-exposed exteriorly of the container, whereby any moisturetending to enter the potential openings between said normally free edges and into the interior of the container is directed away from said free edges and retained in the space between the outer surface of said sheets of waterproof 7 material and the inner surface of said top, bottom and sides.

THOMAS L. CUNNINGHAM. T

' top, bottom and sides, such that no free edges 

